2007 Yamaha 150 MotoGP Wins Photos

July 3, 2007

When Valentino Rossi took the checkers at Assen it marked the 150th time a Yamaha has graced the top of the Grand Prix podium in the premier class. Take a look at the past winners. Check out the full story in Yamaha Celebrates 150 GP Wins.

The MotoGP class has been the personal playground on Valentino Rossi, who took his winning ways with him when he left Honda in 2004 to campaign aboard the YZR-M1.

King Kenny was unstoppable from 1978-1980 when he took his YZR500 to the 500cc crown.

1974-75 Yamaha YZR500 - OW3 GP machine.

Aboard the 1978 YZR500 (OW35K) Kenny Roberts began a three-year reign as the unquestioned king of GP.

1981 Yamaha YZR500 - OW54 GP machine.

1982 Yamaha YZR500 - OW60 GP machine.

1983 Yamaha YZR500 - OW70 GP machine.

1984 Yamaha YZR500 - OW76 GP machine.

Steady Eddie Lawson was a terror on the YZR500 - OW81, claiming 10 of his 26 career wins for Yamaha aboard the machine, which he rode during 1985 and 1986.

1987 Yamaha YZR500 - OW86 GP machine.

1988 Yamaha YZR500 - OW98 GP machine.

1989 Yamaha YZR500 - OWA6 GP machine.

1990 Yamaha YZR500 - OWC1 GP machine.

Armed with the YZR500 (OWC2) Wayne Rainey took his first 500cc title and the Californian followed it up with a second crown in 1991 aboard the (OWD3 - above).

1992 Yamaha YZR500 - OWE0 GP machine.

1993 Yamaha YZR500 - OWF2 GP machine.

From 1994-1995 Luca Cadalora scored four wins with the YZR500 (OWF9).

1996 Yamaha YZR500 - OWL1 GP machine.

1997 Yamaha YZR500 - OWH0 GP machine.

1998 Yamaha YZR500 - OWK1 GP machine.

Max Biaggi never managed to best Rossi for a title with the Yamaha, but The Emperor scored eight career wins with the YZR500 as the 2-stroke era ground to a halt.

2001 Yamaha YZR500 - OWL6 GP machine.

2002 Yamaha YZR500 - OWL9 GP machine.

Yamaha YZR500 - OW20 GP machine.

1980 Yamaha YZR500 - OW48 GP machine.

1980 Yamaha YZR500 - OW48 GP machine.

Rossi's 800cc Fiat Yamaha YZR-M1.

Although Rossi has already scored more career victories for Yamaha, Kenny Roberts made the marque a GP powerhouse when he scored three consecutive 500cc championships from 1978-1980.

An inside look at Rossi's YZR-M1.

Valentino Rossi's recent win at Assen made it 150 for Yamaha in the premier class, with The Doctor just the best of a legendary list of riders to take wins for the Japanese manufacturer.

The MotoGP class has been the personal playground of Valentino Rossi, who took his winning ways with him when he left Honda in 2004 to campaign aboard the YZR-M1